Book Review on Anna Karenina Essay Essays

Book Review on Anna Karenina Essay Essays Book Review on Anna Karenina Essay Paper Book Review on Anna Karenina Essay Paper Essay Topic: Anna Karenina Anna Karenina is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy. published in consecutive installments from 1873 to 1877 in the periodical The Russian Messenger. Widely regarded as a pinnacle in realist fiction. Tolstoy considered Anna Karenina his first true novel. The character of Anna was probably inspired. in portion. by Maria Hartung. the senior girl of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Although Russian critics dismissed the novel on its publication as a â€Å"trifling love affair of high life† . Fyodor Dostoevsky declared it to be â€Å"flawless as a work of art† . His sentiment was shared by Vladimir Nabokov. who particularly admired â€Å"the unflawed thaumaturgy of Tolstoy’s style† . and by William Faulkner. who described the novel as â€Å"the best of all time written† . The novel is divided into eight parts. Its epigraph is â€Å"Vengeance is mine. I will repay† . Tolstoy’s linguistic communication has a galling consequence on readers coming to it for the first clip ; it takes clip to synch with his beat. The fresh Begins with one of its most quoted lines: â€Å"Happy households are all likewise ; every unhappy household is unhappy in its ain manner. Anna Karenina is the calamity of married blue blood and socialite Anna Karenina and her matter with the flush Count Vronsky. The narrative starts when she arrives in the thick of a household broken up by her brother’s unchecked philandering – something that prefigures her ain ulterior state of affairs. though with less tolerance for her by others. A unmarried man. Vronsky is willing to get married her if she would hold to go forth her hubby Karenin. a authorities functionary. but she is vulnerable to the force per unit areas of Russian societal norms. her ain insecurities and Karenin’s indecisiveness. Although Vronsky finally takes Anna to Europe where they can be together. they have problem in doing friends. She is shunned. going farther isolated and dying. Despite Vronsky’s reassurances she grows progressively genitive and paranoid about his imagined unfaithfulness. frights losing control and finally takes her ain life. A parallel narrative within the novel is of Levin. a state landholder who desires to get married Kitty. sister to Dolly and sister-in-law to Anna’s brother Oblonsky. Levin has to suggest twice earlier Kitty accepts. The novel inside informations Levin’s troubles pull offing his estate. his eventual matrimony. and personal issues. until the birth of Levin’s first kid. Tolstoy’s manner in Anna Karenina is considered by many critics to be transitional. organizing a span between the realist and modernist novel. The novel is narrated from a third-person-omniscient position. switching the narrator’s attending to several major characters. though most often concentrating on the opposing life styles and attitudes of its cardinal supporters of Anna and Levin. There is an inordinate usage of watercourse of consciousness. Tolstoy has used existent events in his narrative. to impart greater verisimilitude to the fictional events of his narrative. Characters speak of the important sociopolitical issues impacting Russia in the latter half of the 19th century. like the topographic point and function of the Russian provincial in society. instruction reform. and women’s rights. Tolstoy communicates his ain political beliefs through this novel. He includes in the transcript. his ain analysis of the political orientations. behaviours. and thoughts running through modern-day Russia through the ideas of Levin. The wide array of state of affairss and thoughts depicted in Anna Karenina allows Tolstoy to show a treatise on his Russian epoch. and. by virtuousness of its very comprehensiveness and deepness. all of human society. This stylistic technique. every bit good as the novel’s usage of position. greatly contributes to the thematic construction of Anna Karenina. The novel is fundamentally a twit on Russian nobility although Tolstoy himself was a portion of it. It emphasizes on the impressions of lip service. green-eyed monster. religion. fidelity. household. matrimony. contrivance. society. advancement. animal desire and passion. and the agricultural connexion to land in contrast to the life styles of the metropolis. There is a point raised on the extramarital affairs and the lower status composite for talking French alternatively of Russian linguistic communication. in the Russian Aristocratic society. Tolstoy allows his subjects to emerge of course from the â€Å"vast view of Russian life. The fresh sends a message that â€Å"no one can construct one’s felicity on another’s hurting. † Anna karenina implicitly shows the â€Å"respect† and â€Å"honour† given to adult females in western society which debates on Human Rights. Western society is non an exclusion. adult females largely considered to be the marionettes irrespective of the societies. This is why Allama Iqbal negotiations about the hollowness of the western society. Islam takes a moderated attack for adult females. There are limitations but her function is besides justified in the society.

Promoting Utilitarianism or an Alternative Marketing Strategy Essay

Promoting Utilitarianism or an Alternative Marketing Strategy - Essay Example Subscription to utilitarian views promotes ethical behavior and thus, a positive change in attitude. Organizations exploit this knowledge and modify their business models and practices in order to provide services that add value and immense benefits to the consumers and society, thus presenting business venture as social services. To further appeal to the emotions of the public, business organizations of all manners are embarking on avenues to showcase their firms and products as offering the uttermost benefits to the society and individual consumers. The purpose of this paper is to look into existing literature on corporate social responsibility and find whether it is done for promoting the greater good of the society or is used as an alternative marketing strategy. In this paper we will be discussing existing literature in great detail on the subject of corporate social responsibility. ... The main research question author has tried to address in the paper is that what can be the social responsibilities of a businessman. In his book the author asks, â€Å"To what extent do the interest of business in the long run merge with the interest of society† (Bowmen, 1953, p.5). The first theoretical definition of corporate social responsibility was given in this book as, â€Å"It refers to the obligations of businessmen to pursue those policies, to make those decisions, or to follow those lines of action which are desirable in terms of the objectives and values of our society† (p, 6). The author has taken a subjectivist approach by identifying a definition of the concept. This definition is not based on any empirical evidence which depicts the subjectivist approach of the author. The author has also identified in the book the limitations of his work. He calls for future research on the subject. The author seems to have answered the research question he posed in th e beginning of the book. Also this book was the first work on the subject therefore it is considered seminal. Can business afford to ignore Social Responsibilities? Another theory paper by Davis (1960) is considered a seminal work on the subject of corporate social responsibility. The main research question that author has attempted to answer is that why businessmen have a responsibility towards society. The author has answered this question theoretically without relying on any first hand quantitative or qualitative research. The author has used power-responsibility relationship to answer the research question. The author also talks about non economic values and its impact on social responsibility (p. 74). This again is a subjectivist research where

Constitutional and Administrative Law Assessed Corsework Essay

Constitutional and Administrative Law Assessed Corsework - Essay Example he principle of separation of powers assumes that certain functions should be carried out by different institutions with neither impinging the other’s authority. As Montesquieu argued; â€Å"All would be lost if the same man or the same ruling body†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦were to exercise these powers.3† Furthermore, Lord Acton commented that â€Å"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely4†. Accordingly, the preservation of separation of powers is essential as a check on autocratic power. As part of this, judicial review of the legality of acts of the executive represents the central method by which courts control exercise of governmental power; which in turn operates as a central underlying facet of the separation of powers. As such, the doctrine of ultra vires is theoretically vital in serving as a testament to the independence of the judiciary in its role under the fundamental constitutional separation of powers in ensuring that public bodies, such as government departments, local authorities, tribunals, agencies have not acted ultra vires5. Moreover, the ultra vires doctrine is cited as the first principle of natural justice and the rule of law that public bodies are required to act within the scope of the powers allocated to them by Parliament6. With regard to the UK position, the doctrine of the separation of powers has traditionally been limited and criticised for being somewhat unclear in comparison to other democracies7. Nevertheless, it has been commented that the doctrine does in fact influence everyday operations of the executive, legislature and judiciary8 and Barnett argues that â€Å"Separation of powers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ runs like a thread throughout the constitution of the United Kingdom9.† Nevertheless, in the UK there has not been a clear separation of the branches of the state10, but rather a fusion, which in turn has created polarised debate with regard to the need to reform the British constitution. For example, the executive clearly carries out

Impact of Government Policies Essay Example for Free

Impact of Government Policies Essay Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess sociological views of the impact of government policies and laws on family life (24 marks) Social policies are laws made by the state to bring a change to society. As stated in item 2B different political policies have different ideologies and agendas that they will try and reinforce through the family. One example of a social policy is The Family Act Law in 1996 which is a part of John Majors ‘Back to Basics Campaign’ and this introduced a one year waiting period before a couple could file for divorce. It was implemented to encourage and reinforce the nuclear family and give couples a chance to work on their relationships and not choose the easy way out. This policy was to favour New Right as they believe that divorce undermines the traditional nuclear family. In their view, divorce creates more welfare dependent lone parent families, 90% of all lone parent families are matriarchal families and prevents boys from growing up properly, without the male role model they need to be successful for the future. As stated in 2B the New Right argue that the benefit system undermines traditional nuclear family by encouraging lone parents through divorce. Postmodernists would totally disagree with New Right thinkers and argue that this policy creates less family diversity and stops the creation of new family types such as lone parent families and reconstituted families. As stated in Item 2B, feminists argue that social policies assume that the ideal family s the nuclear family, and this policy favours this sort of family. Feminists would argue that most divorces are made by women, seven out of ten of all divorces. And so feminists would think that by keeping women in a relationship for a year, this would be oppressing them to stay in an unhappy and maybe abusive relationship. This policy would reinforce the ideology that Ansley says women are ‘the takers of shit’. Marxists would disprove this policy as it serves the needs of capitalism, maintaining the nuclear family. It is also very expensive so it doesn’t give the chance to some of the working class to file for divorce which leads to more empty shell marriages and keeps the two in an unhappy relationship. This policy has the impact of encouraging the nuclear family by giving the couple time to resolve their disputes in hope of them agreeing to stay together. However Lister (1996) suggests these policies are ‘an orgy  of lone parent bashing’, by removing the likelihood of a lone parent family, which is disliked by conservatives and New Right. Another policy introduced by Harold Wilson in 1967 was the Abortion Act. This allowed abortion to be performed on the approval of two medical practitioners, unless termination is immediately necessary to save a life. This policy was implemented by Labour and made contraception widely available, provided with women more choice in regards to their fertility, and allows them to pursue a career before having children. This policy was to control the size of the population, and reducing the size of the family encouraging child centered families and allowing parents to use their resources and more attention on these few children. New Right would disagree with this policy as they believe it’s reinforcing this ideology that women don’t have to start a family, it discourages the traditional nuclear family. Functionalists would also disagree as reproduction is a function of the family, it is not meant to be manipulated with and it discourages the traditional nuclear family in orde r for society to function correctly. However postmodernists would agree with this policy as it favours diversity and different family types such as cohabiting couples and single person households. Feminists would also agree with this policy as it gives women a chance to decide what they want to do with their bodies and gives them a a chance to focus on their career, before having children by choice. Marxists would agree as the nuclear family serves the needs of capitalism and with the use of abortion, there will be less families. This policy contrasts with the government policy in Romania in the 1980s where the former communist government attempted to increase the birth rate by putting restrictions on contraception and abortion, setting up fertility centres, making divorce more difficult to obtain and forcing childless couples to pay an extra 5% income tax. This was set up to increase the population and therefore increase the size families in Romania. In China, there was a one child policy to reduce population size and discouraged couples from having more than one child. According to Adrian Wilson (1985) the policy is supervised by workplace family planning committees, women must seek permission to try and become to try to become pregnant, and there is a waiting list and a quota for each factory. Couples who comply with the policy get extra  benefits such as free health care and higher tax allowances, An only child will also get priority in education and housing in later life. Couples who break the agreement must repay their allowances and pay a fine. Women are also faced the pressure to undergo sterilization after their first child. This encourages people to have one child and therefore affects family life by controlling family size through this policy. Another social policy is Working Family Tax Credit introduced by labour government and improves the conditions of the underclass. It is a state benefit made to families that work and have low income. It was implemented to provide a system of support to help families tackle child poverty and make work pay. The policy tops up the wages of parents moving from benefits to low paid work. It was a system of support for families by reducing the amount of tax they have to pay. It removes children out of poverty and allows more opportunity within the family for children, for example education because with more wealth the child will not experience material deprivation and will gain more cultural capital, consequently improving their educational prospects and more opportunities later in life. New Right would agree with this policy as it encourages people to have the traditional nuclear families by benefiting from it, functionalists favour this as the nuclear family serves the functions for society to run successfully. Feminists would dislike this policy as it’s encouraging women to stay in the traditional nuclear family as they can benefit from it, this causes women to stay in an unhappy relationship where they may be vulnerable to domestic violence. Marxists would also dislike this policy as the family is serving the needs of capitalism, further allowing the bourgeoisie to exploit its workers through the family. A final example of a social policy is Sure Start which was implemented by the Labour Government and aimed at giving every child the best start at life which offers a broad range of services including family health, early years care and education and improved well being programmes to children aged 4 and under. It was set up to end child poverty, reduce social exclusion and save money by creating well behaved youngsters who would be less likely to get involved in crime. It also brings benefits to health, education and family  life and encourages parents to be better parents , gives single parents opportunities. A study published in December 2010, compared 5 year olds in sure start areas with their contemporaries in non sure start areas and found that there were fewer obese children in the areas where the programme had run. Parents felt there were many benefits, they said children were well behaved and healthier. New Right despise this social policy as it encourages more single parent families, knowing they will get help from sure start and undermines the traditional nuclear family. Functionalists would agree with New Right as it encourages more single parent families, undermines the traditional nuclear family and therefore the functions cant be performed through the family. Feminists would favour this policy as it lets women escape the oppression from the family, knowing lone parent families will get help from Sure Start. There are 12 and a half hours of free nursery available for children and this can encourage people to spend less time with their children so New Right and Functionalists would disagree as parents are supposed to socialize their children. Marxists would also disagree as it creates more flexible hours for parents to work, therefore serving the needs of capitalism. In conclusion, the impacts of government policies and laws can have massive effects on family life and differences in family types.

Henrik Isbens A Dolls House Essay -- A Dolls House Essays

After she reveals the "dastardly deed" to her husband, he becomes understandably agitated; in his frustration he shares the outside world with her, the ignorance of the serious business world, and destroys her innocence and self-esteem. This disillusion marks the final destructive blow to her doll's house. Their ideal home including their marriage and parenting has been a fabrication for the sake of society. Nora's decision to leave this false life behind and discover for herself what is real is directly symbolic of woman's ultimate realization. Although she becomes aware of her supposed subordinateness, it is not because of this that she has the desire to take action. Nora is utterly confused, as suggested by Harold Clurman, "She is groping sadly in a maze of confused feeling toward a way of life and a destiny of which she is most uncertain (256)." The one thing she is aware of is her ignorance, and her desire to go out into the world is not to "prove herse lf" but to discover and educate herself. She must strive to find her individuality. That the perception of woman is inaccurate is also supported by the role of Torvald. Woman is believed to be subordinate to the domineering husband. Instead of being the strong supporter and protector of his family, Nora's husband is a mean and cowardly man. Worried about his reputation he cares little about his wife's feelings and fails to notice many of her needs. The popular impression of man is discarded in favor of a more realistic view, thus illustrating society's distorted views. Ibsen, through this controversial play, has an impact upon society's view of the subordinate position of women. By describing this role of woman, discussing its effects, and predicting a change in contemporary views, he stressed the importance of woman's realization of this believed inferiority. Woman should no longer be seen as the shadow of man, but a person in herself, with her own triumphs and tragedies. The exploration of Nora reveals that she is dependant upon her husband and displays no independent standing. Her progression of understanding suggests woman's future ability to comprehend their plight. Her state of shocked awareness at the end of the play is representative of the awakening of society to the changing view of the role of woman. "A Doll's House" magnificently illustrates the need f... ...le that Nora expects and the miracle that actually happens are entirely different. Nora dreams of the day that her husband will sympathize with her and cease to be the dominating figure with the "upper hand" in their relationship. She expects him to understand her struggles with the law and to be willing to take some of the blame himself. However, when he reacts to Krogstad's letter by exhibiting more dominance and control than ever before, Nora becomes more aware of her own individual needs as a woman in society. She understands that in order to be free, she must develop her own view of the world, by setting herself apart from the control and determinism that males have over her life. Therefore, Nora's decision to leave her husband and family is ironic because it proves to be the "miracle" she is waiting for, rather than the one she originally expected. Nora becomes a feminist heroine in the play by showing what women can achieve, but rarely attempt. The dete rminism that many men force on their women partners in society (in forms of control, dominance, and power) restricts the women's ability to strengthen as individuals, and gain their own self-determinism.

Zodiac Sign

Thomas Hotte  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ms. Boyd Personality profile  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Period 3 The article on Cancer fits me for the most part. It says my positive traits are â€Å"loyal, dependable, caring, adaptable, and responsive. † A cancer is a very complex person when it comes to independence. They’re very contradicting and they’re independence has to do with there state of mind. I’m like the description of a cancer because it says we have the perseverance and drive to do what we need to do and can be self sufficient. Although we don’t need someone to depend or we prefer to have someone there to help and support us like our family and close friends. What’s not as accurate is that it says we crave attention but I don’t like drawing attention to myself most of the time, I usually just like blending in. Like the horoscope says I am loyal to my friends and family who appreciate me and support me. I always do look out for my friends and I hate seeing my friends who are girls be sad so I always try to make them feel better like it says. Its also true that even though im good at listening to other people I never talk about my own feelings. Its also true because once I get past all of my emotional and personal problems I can do whatever I set my mind to I wouldn’t really say im psychic but I can be intuitive at times intelligent and observing. i have money and financial sensibility. I am complex, unpredictable, and tempermental. Im not really a fragile person, a lot of things don’t bother me. I can be

Richard Taylor - Civil War - Confederacy - Lieutenant General

Richard Taylor - Early Life Career: Born January 27, 1826, Richard Taylor was the sixth and youngest child of President Zachary Taylor and Margaret Taylor. Initially raised on the familys plantation near Louisville, KY, Taylor spent much of his childhood on the frontier as his fathers military career compelled them to move frequently. To ensure that his son received a quality education, the elder Taylor sent him to private schools in Kentucky and Massachusetts. This was soon followed by studies at Harvard and Yale where he was active in Skull and Bones. Graduating from Yale in 1845, Taylor read widely on topics pertaining to military and classical history. Richard Taylor - Mexican-American War: With the rise of tensions with Mexico, Taylor joined his fathers army along the border. Serving as his fathers military secretary, he was present when the Mexican-American War began and US forces triumphed at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Remaining with the army, Taylor took part in the campaigns that culminated in the capture of Monterrey and victory at Buena Vista. Increasingly plagued by the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, Taylor departed Mexico and took over management of his fathers Cyprus Grove cotton plantation near Natchez, MS. Successful in this endeavor, he convinced his father to purchase the Fashion sugar cane plantation in St. Charles Parish, LA in 1850. Following Zachary Taylors death later that year, Richard inherited both Cyprus Grove and Fashion. On February 10, 1851, he married Louise Marie Myrtle Bringier, the daughter of a wealthy Creole matriarch. Richard Taylor - Antebellum Years: Though not caring for politics, Taylors family prestige and place in Louisiana society saw him elected to the state senate in 1855. The next two years proved difficult for Taylor as consecutive crop failures left him increasingly in debt. Remaining active in politics, he attended the 1860 Democratic National Convention in Charleston, SC. When the party splintered along sectional lines, Taylor attempted, without success, to forge a compromise between the two factions. As the country began to crumble following the election of Abraham Lincoln, he attended the Louisiana secession convention where he voted in favor of leaving the Union. Shortly thereafter, Governor Alexandre Mouton appointed Taylor to lead the Committee on Louisiana Military Naval Affairs. In this role, he advocated raising and arming regiments for the defense of the state as well as building and repairing forts. Richard Taylor - The Civil War Begins: Shortly after the attack on Fort Sumter and the beginning of the Civil War, Taylor traveled to Pensacola, FL to visit his friend Brigadier General Braxton Bragg. While there, Bragg requested that that Taylor aid him in training newly-formed units that were destined for service in Virginia. Agreeing, Taylor commenced work but turned down offers to serve in the Confederate Army. Highly effective in this role, his efforts were recognized by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In July 1861, Taylor relented and accepted a commission as colonel of the 9th Louisiana Infantry. Taking the regiment north, it arrived in Virginia just after the First Battle of Bull Run. That fall, the Confederate Army reorganized and Taylor received a promotion to brigadier general on October 21. With the promotion came command of a brigade comprised of Louisiana regiments. Richard Taylor - In the Valley: In the spring of 1862, Taylors brigade saw service in the Shenandoah Valley during Major General Thomas Stonewall Jacksons Valley Campaign. Serving in the division of Major General Richard Ewell, Taylors men proved tenacious fighters and were often deployed as shock troops. Through the course of May and June, he saw battle at Front Royal, First Winchester, Cross Keys, and Port Republic. With the successful conclusion of the Valley Campaign, Taylor and his brigade marched south with Jackson to reinforce General Robert E. Lee on the Peninsula. Though with his men during the Seven Days Battles, his rheumatoid arthritis became increasingly severe and he missed engagements such as the Battle of Gaines Mill. Despite his medical issues, Taylor received a promotion to major general on July 28. Richard Taylor - Back to Louisiana: In an effort to facilitate his recovery, Taylor accepted an assignment to raise forces in and command the District of Western Louisiana. Finding the region largely stripped of men and supplies, he commenced work to improve the situation. Eager put pressure on Union forces around New Orleans, Taylors troops frequently skirmished with Major General Benjamin Butlers men. In March 1863, Major General Nathaniel P. Banks advanced from New Orleans with the goal of capturing Port Hudson, LA, one of two remaining Confederate strongholds on the Mississippi. Attempting block the Union advance, Taylor was forced back at the Battles of Fort Bisland and Irish Bend on April 12-14. Badly outnumbered, his command escaped up the Red River as Banks moved forward to lay siege to Port Hudson. With Banks occupied at Port Hudson, Taylor devised a bold plan to recapture Bayou Teche and liberate New Orleans. This movement would require Banks to abandon the siege of Port Hudson or risk losing New Orleans and his supply base. Before Taylor could move forward, his superior, Lieutenant General Edmund Kirby Smith, commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department, directed him to take his small army north to aid in breaking the Siege of Vicksburg. Though lacking faith in Kirby Smiths plan, Taylor obeyed and fought minor engagements at Millikens Bend and Youngs Point in early June. Beaten in both, Taylor returned south to Bayou Teche and re-captured Brashear City late in the month. Though in a position to threaten New Orleans, Taylors requests for additional troops were not answered before the garrisons at Vicksburg and Port Hudson fell in early July. With Union forces freed from siege operations, Taylor withdrew back to Alexandria, LA to avoid being trapped. Richard Taylor - Red River Campaign: In March 1864, Banks pressed up the Red River towards Shreveport supported by Union gunboats under Admiral David D. Porter. Initially withdrawing up the river from Alexandria, Taylor sought advantageous ground for making a stand. On April 8, he attacked Banks at the Battle of Mansfield. Overwhelming Union forces, he compelled them to retreat back to Pleasant Hill. Seeking a decisive victory, Taylor struck this position the next day but could not break through Banks lines. Though checked, the two battles compelled Banks to abandon the campaign begin moving downstream. Eager to crush Banks, Taylor was enraged when Smith stripped three divisions from his command to block a Union incursion from Arkansas. Reaching Alexandria, Porter found that the water levels had dropped and that many of his vessels could not move over the nearby falls. Though Union forces were briefly trapped, Taylor lacked the manpower to attack and Kirby Smith refused to return his men. As a result, Porter had a dam c onstructed to raise the water levels and Union forces escaped downstream. Richard Taylor - Later War: Irate over the prosecution of the campaign, Taylor attempted to resign as he was unwilling to serve with Kirby Smith any further. This request was denied and he instead was promoted to lieutenant general and placed in command of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana on July 18. Reaching his new headquarters in Alabama in August, Taylor found the department to possess few troops and resources. Earlier in the month, Mobile had been closed to Confederate traffic in the wake of the Union victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay. While Major General Nathan Bedford Forrests cavalry worked to limit Union incursions into Alabama, Taylor lacked the men to block Union operations around Mobile. In January 1865, following General John Bell Hoods disastrous Franklin-Nashville Campaign, Taylor assumed command of the remnants of the Army of Tennessee. Resuming his normal duties after this force transferred to the Carolinas, he soon found his department overrun by Union troops later that spring. With the collapse of Confederate resistance following the surrender at Appomattox in April, Taylor attempted to hold out. The final Confederate force east of the Mississippi to capitulate, he surrendered his department to Major General Edward Canby at Citronelle, AL, on May 8. Richard Taylor - Later Life Paroled, Taylor returned to New Orleans and attempted to revive his finances. Becoming increasingly involved in Democratic politics, he became a staunch opponent of the Radical Republicans Reconstruction policies. Moving to Winchester, VA in 1875, Taylor continued to advocate for Democratic causes for the remainder of his life. He died on April 18, 1879, while in New York. Taylor had published his memoir entitled Destruction and Reconstruction a week earlier. This work was later credited for its literary style and accuracy. Returned to New Orleans, Taylor was buried at Metairie Cemetery. Selected Sources Civil War Trust: Richard TaylorGeneral Richard Taylor TSHA: Richard Taylor